The weekend was perfect for the offshore angler with low swell and light winds making it very busy on the water. The closer in areas such as the Gneerings and Currimundi seem to the favourites with snapper, grass sweetlip and parrot fish all on the menu. Best performing baits were pillies and local squid. The east and north easterly’s allowed fisherman to fish the eastern edges of these local reefs allowing them to enjoy some trophy sized fish. Up to the north saw Sunshine and North Reef producing squire, venus tusk fish, good size maori cod and a handful of coral trout. All species responded well to local squid, pillies and live baits. Spanish mackerel taking slowed trolled skirted baits and deep diving lures with the Barwon Banks, Chardon’s and Currimundi reefs all showing good fish. Coolum reef is pelagic central showing quality long tails at first light and large spotted mackerel once the sun rose. Most anglers reported fish taking small bait fish profile slugs or pillies floated down the burley trail.

The Maroochy River is cleaning up quite well due to the bigger tides encountered after the rains had settled. The run off certainly got the mud crabs feeding. Stick to the areas up river from Bli Bli Bridge to the Cane Bridge and Coolum Creek. Baiting your pots heavy with fresh mullet has been the key to bigger shells. Flathead are loving soft plastics for the lure fisherman and baby blue pilchards for the bait anglers. Try sticking to the areas down river from the Motorway Bridge near the back of Goat and Channel Islands on the run out tide. For the run in stick to shallows on Picnic Point the back of Goat and Chambers Island for some decent whiting. Whiting love a good run off and you will see the sizes increase because of this. Mangrove jack are on the move with surface lures very popular at the moment up Eudlo and Petrie Creeks. Throwing your lures on the last of the run in and the start of the run out at submerged timbers and snaggy rock bars will ensure a good sized fish. For the bait fisherman, try live baiting around the Motorway Bridge and Cod Hole areas. Bream have started to run with most trophy fish coming from structures like old jetty’s and pontoons along the south channel and Cotton tree.

The beach has been a real game change with some new deep gutters along the open stretch between Peregian to Mudjimba beaches. The deep gutters are holding dart and whiting with the bigger dart at the rear of the gutter when it’s at its fullest. The whiting will favour the last half of the run out while staying closer in the gutter. Traditional baits are a must at this time due to the sand being stirred up, so using worms and pipis will secure you a decent feed. There are heaps of worms available on the beach if you are wanting to have ago at catching some yourself. Good areas seem to be south of Marcoola surf club and Peregian Beach. Make sure you have a good scent bag made from either whole mullet or left over fish frames.

Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle and Davo’s Tackle World Fishing comp was postponed due to the weather last weekend. You can now collect your token from Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola or Davo’s Tackle World in Noosa from 1pm Friday the 9th of March. Once you’ve collected your token you can start fishing and the competition finishes on Sunday 11th of March at 12 midday sharp. (Please note that you don’t have to catch a fish to win the lucky draw prize!). For more details regarding the fishing comp please feel free to call any of the Davo’s tackle outlets or visit us on our Facebook page.

Now for all the latest information log onto www.fishingnoosa.com.au for up to date bar and fishing reports, don’t forget to drop into Davo’s Tackle World, Davo’s Boating and Outdoor in Noosa and Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting, and remember Tight Lines and Bent Spines!